Heart murmur

Heart murmur

Jun 30, 2015

What is a Heart Murmur?

During a physical examination, your doctor usually listens to your heart with a stethoscope. The stethoscope is placed on different parts of your chest to enable the doctor to hear the sounds your heart valves make as blood passes through your heart. Your heart has four valves which keep blood flowing in the correct direction through the heart. The valves open and close once during each heartbeat. Normally, the heart makes two sounds as your heart valves open and close – these sound like “lub-dub”. The first sound is heard when the valves between the upper and lower heart chambers (“mitral” and “tricuspid” valves) shut. The second heart sound is heard when the valves between the lower heart chambers and major blood vessels (“aortic” and “pulmonary” valves) close. A heart murmur is a ‘whooshing’ sound heard when there is turbulent or abnormal blood flow across one or more heart valves.

What causes a Heart Murmur?

A heart murmur may occur due to several possible causes. The most common causes include:

Valvular heart disease, which is generally divided into:

Valvular stenosis – a narrow or stiff valve, slowing forward flow of blood through the valve.

Valvular regurgitation – a valve that does not shut completely, allowing blood to leak backwards in the heart.

Anaemia (blood’s inability to deliver adequate oxygen around the body)

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)

Pregnancy

Infection

Congenital heart disorders – these are present from birth and are due to the heart and blood vessels failing to grow properly during fetal development

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a genetic condition that leads to thickening of the heart muscle which may lead to obstruction of blood flow through the heart

Endocarditis – infection of the heart valves

What are symptoms that may be associated with Heart Murmurs?

Heart murmurs themselves do not cause you to feel any symptoms, and are often only picked up by your doctor during a routine physical examination. However, if the murmur is due to underlying heart disease, symptoms that may suggest underlying heart disease include:

Shortness of breath or difficulty catching your breath, either during exertion or at rest

Chest discomfort

Heart palpitations (“heart racing” or beating irregularly)

Light-headedness or dizziness

Fainting

Fatigue

Difficulty lying flat in bed due to shortness of breath

Swelling of ankles or abdomen

How is the cause of a Heart Murmur diagnosed?

After your doctor takes a complete medical history and performs a physical examination to assess the clinical type and severity of the murmur, further tests are usually needed. These tests help your doctor to determine why the murmur might be present, which valve or part of the heart is involved, how severe the problem is and what treatment is required. These tests may include:

By repeating these tests over time, your doctor can see the progress of your underlying heart disease and help you make decisions about any changes in treatment.

What are the possible treatment options for Murmurs?

The treatment of heart murmurs depends on the underlying cause of the murmur. Some murmurs (e.g. flow murmurs during pregnancy) may need no specific treatment aside from regular monitoring by your doctor. If murmurs are due to underlying structural heart or valvular problems, then treatment may include medications or heart surgery, depending on the type and severity of heart disease.

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STEPS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF COVID-19

Thank you to all our patients who have attended our practice so far during the Covid-19 pandemic began. Your understanding and cooperation with new procedures we have in place to protect us all and ensure we comply with government guidelines is very much appreciated.

When attending our rooms you will notice changes such as reduced seating in our waiting room, distancing markings on the floor, protective screens, increased signage on our doors and walls and staff using protective clothing and equipment. Whilst this may seem overwhelming to some, the purpose is for your safety and that of our staff. Please be assured though that our team remain dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and cardiac care.

It is important not to neglect your cardiac health during this crisis and we remain committed to providing all of our usual services.

If you have symptoms of fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, muscle soreness, loss of sense of smell and taste- we advise you contact your GP or local Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND OUR PRACTICE if you have any of the symptoms above – please call our team on 9592 2177 to advise. We offer telehealth consulting so you can remain in direct contact with your cardiologist when you cannot attend.

Other measures we are taking include:

Increased cleaning regimes throughout the day

Cashless payments only

Requesting that you call us from the car upon arrival so you can be advised when you can enter

Asking you to attend alone (where appropriate) to reduce numbers in the practice